​Over the years I’ve had a variety of hairstyles. As a kid I’d probably mostly be remembered for my short hair.

It took about 5 years and a few short looks, awkward growing phases until I’ve reached a “past the shoulder” length. I’m quite pleased with it, however, I’m craving something different.Maybe you can tell, but I’ve left something out from my hair evolution. I’ve never colored my hair, not even pharmacy boxed color, school spirit day color spray. My hair is a color virgin.

CODY PEPIN​

​Cody Pepin is an adventurer, poet, and mystic. He enjoys exploring the spiritual and intellectual heritage of humankind. He currently lives in Connecticut and continues to delve deeper into the unknown.

I’m going to make this a quick post, since I’m at work and writing this in an email to conceal that I’m doing PXC stuff! HA!

I just finished reading Scrappy Little Nobody by the being that is Anna Kendrick. I freaking love her. Throughout this book I was comforted by her honesty and soul-sister connection that I felt towards her. I’m pining for her friendship, so I will cut out her face from a magazine and glue it to my vision board.

It’s Monday, and you know what that means! No, not the dragging start of your week: Motivational Music Monday!

I’m so psyched to share this with you. For the past few months I kept track of my Go-To-Songs that gets me pumped and motivated. Sometimes I’m in that high energy mood and surf those good vibes and other times I know I’m in a funk and tuning in lifts me up. Music is an awesome cure-all!

There are some oldies but all are goodies! The vibe for this playlist is to get S*** done! So put on some headphone and Get Your Dream On!

The college years can be some of the best of your life. They’re filled with learning, friends, travel- what more could a girl want? College can be tricky, though, because while you’re an “adult,” you’re not yet living with the responsibilities that are bound to come later in life.

Take your “job,” for example. Your main job is going to class. We all know that college classes are generally challenging, but the schedule is certainly not bad! A couple of hours of classes per day and the rest of the day to study and have fun? It’s a schedule that feels like a vacation to a 40+ hour/week employee! Let’s now look at housing. You’re likely living in a dorm or a house off campus, filled with excitement at every turn (if you’re the type to look for it). If you’re lucky, your parents may be footing with the bill, but even if they’re not, you’re not likely to see a monthly bill or get any surprise bills for maintenance while you’re in school. And there’s the food. What pleasure it is to go to the dining hall or order in using your student card whenever you want to. No trips to the grocery store are required in college, unless you like to go (you know, like for the supplies for your next party).

And this is not to say that college kids have it too good. The college years are the last years before what I consider to be true adulthood. You should be using the time to explore, grow, and figure out who you want to be (although, if you’re like me, this process will continue far beyond the early 20’s!). That being said, I believe it IS fair to say that most college kids (not all) often leave college not knowing a whole lot about financial responsibilities and budgeting.

For the past few months I’ve watched interviews of my acting role models when I have down time. I really enjoy the Variety’s Actors on Actors and The Hollywood Reporter’s Roundtable Discussions, (THR). I find them on YouTube and watch as many as I can.

I wish I wrote this article when I first discovered these videos—I viewed so many the first week I won’t even bother with a wild estimate. I felt such a rush while watching them. Some of my favorite actors, like Tom Hanks, Keira Knightley, Emma Stone, Nicole Kidman, and Viola Davis (just to name a few) asked each other questions and shared their experiences as actors. (Variety’s Actors on Actors) Then, there was the thrill of the Round Table Discussions with several of my favorites—casually expressing their feelings and history, (Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Denzel Washington, and many more).

I was excited by the interesting pairings. I learned many had a shared director, co-star, or worked on a film together years ago. I was completely enthralled. It’s entertaining and insightful for me as a member of the audience but also as a person interested in exploring the human condition as an actor.

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and that question has tickled my mind a few times this month. Valentine’s Day: is it one of the longest running marketing campaigns that provokes gimmicks to buy chocolates, cards, and roses, or is it a holiday totally devoted to couples to make the extra effort that show they truly love each other?

I’ve never been bothered by the commercialization of the holiday, so I either am the target market to the “T” or I just think it’s a nice reminder to show extra affection.

Now, money is tight and I’m not demanding a fancy dinner at a candlelight table, or a dozen roses--or any roses, actually. A cute card, homemade or purchased, would be nice. Chocolate isn’t necessary, and depending on my mood, if I’m attempting a sugar detox, it’s refused; or if I’m indulging my chocolate craving, it’s greatly appreciated.

My boyfriend and I have always done something for V-day but it’s always within our financial means and lighthearted. We’ve gone to out to dinner, movies, made homemade cards and gifts for each other and shared some special time together ;)

I won’t be devastated that we’ll be thoughtful on a budget. In fact, I think that this creates an opportunity for creative and truly personal ideas.